Obituary of Blanche Meyers

View Video Tribute Longtime Burlington, Colorado resident Blanche L. Meyers passed away on August 24, 2007 at her home in Burlington. She was 92 years old. Blanche Lucille Elder was born on August 17th, 1915 to the home of Charles Lafayette and Rachael Elizabeth Elder. Blanche was the fourth child of 9 brothers and sisters. The Elder family settled on a farm in the Ash Rock Township of Woodston Kansas where the children attended school and Church. Blanche graduated from Woodston High School in 1933 at which time the family moved to Phillips County Kansas. Soon after, Blanche migrated to Western Kansas. There, she worked for a time as a waitress and then in the sweet roll section of the bakery in Burlington Colorado owned by Bert Meyers who would soon become her brother-in-law. On July 31, 1936 Blanche married Elvaro Leon Meyers (better know as Shorty) and they moved back to Kansas for several years to live near her family. In 1941, they returned to Burlington where they spent the rest of their lives. They lived the next 10 years south of Burlington where they were engaged in farm work as well as janitor, cook and bus drivers at the Smoky Hill School. During that time Shorty and Blanche created their family of 2 brothers and 4 sisters. After the school consolidated, the family moved to Burlington where Blanche worked as a cook, bookkeeper, and night clerk for several businesses. One of Blanche’s most rewarding experiences was owning and operating the Highway Café with Shorty for a short time in the late 60’s and early 70’s. While it would be considered a financial flop by today’s standards, no one ever left hungry or dissatisfied with the quality of Blanches home cooking. In 1983 Blanche retired after 50 years of continuing contribution to the community through her labor and love. Blanche spent her golden years raising her grandchildren and others with a stern hand and abounding love that had descended from her Elder family background. Preceding Blanche in death was her mother Rachael in 1965, her father Charles and husband Shorty in 1972, her eldest son Robert in 1989 and her son-in-law Milton Harrison in 2004. Also preceding her in death was an infant grandson Grant Lee Harrison and 5 brothers and sisters. Left to embrace their memories of “Gramâ€? are her daughters Ivalee Bennett of Stockton Kansas, Joy Bowman and husband Calvin, Debra Phelps of Littleton, Colorado, Norma Harrison, Kay Carson and husband Bob, son Ron Meyers and wife Sandra all of Burlington, grandchildren Denise McNulty, Deena Lamp, Scott Bennett, Bruce Harrison, Chris Meyers, Greg Bowman, Darcy Wilson, Tracy Kennedy, Kelly Westra, Lisa Skinner, Rick Carson, Teresa Carter, Vicki Bowser, Randy Carson, Zachary Meyers, Phil Stewart, Lanie Mireles, Natanha Hurja, Dawn Ann Blair, Damon Phelps Megan Meyers, and all of their spouses. Memories of time spent with these grandchildren, 44 delightful great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren comforted Blanche in her final days. Still living the legacy of the Charles and Rachael Elder family are brothers Merlin, Cleo and Gene Elder and sister Helen Metcalf. The immediate family embraced the opportunity that we had to spend the last several months of “Gram’sâ€? life with her at her home sharing memories, love and often tears with her and each other. Words can never express our love and respect for this “grand ladyâ€?. Today, she sits in Heaven, peering out her front window in anticipation of our arrival and continued celebration of God’s gift of everlasting life. Funeral Services for Mrs. Meyers were held on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington with Pastor Tom Peacock officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, August 28, 2007 at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Blanche’s name to the Caring Hands Hospice and may be left at the Bank of the West in Burlington.